Kitty Takeover: Cat Week 2011!

Meow! It’s Cat Week 2011. That means that felines are in the PETA.org spotlight from October 24 to 28. We did some thinking in honor of Cat Week, and the following is what we think cats would like people to learn during their week:

On Adoption:

Simply put, there are too many cats and not enough homes. Because of the current overpopulation crisis, an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. animal shelters annually, and half of them are euthanized. Many of these animals are young, healthy, and adoptable. But as long as breeders and pet shops continue to churn out more kittens while millions in shelters are dying for a home, the overpopulation crisis will continue. One of the best things that you can do to help is to always adopt and never buy.

On Spaying and Neutering:

“Fixing your cat” is the single most important thing that you can do to save cats and dogs from all the suffering and death that their overpopulation causes. Spaying and neutering makes a big difference: In seven years, one unaltered female cat and her descendants can produce an incredible 370,000 kittens!

On Declawing:

Contrary to popular belief, declawing is not like a manicure. It’s a very serious surgery that involves 10 individual amputations—not just of the cats’ nails, but of the last digit of each toe as well. Clawing is a natural, healthy, and important behavior for cats, and because of the severity of the surgery, nearly two dozen countries—including England, Australia, and Japan—have prohibited or severely restricted veterinarians from performing the painful, permanently crippling, and mutilating procedure.

If you’re looking to add a cat to your clan, stop by your local animal shelter and adopt. Remember: Adopting an animal is a lifelong commitment. Cats are complex and social individuals, and being a guardian means creating a safe, loving, and stimulating environment.

Help tiger cubs forced to swim + used as selfie props. Tell Dade City’s Wild Things that cubs belong with their mothers!

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.